Dutch bishops regarding to Fiducia supplicans

The statement issued by the Dicasteryfor the Doctrine of the Faith [d:486] Fiducia Supplicans [9111]Fiducia supplicans on 18 December last, highlighted the importanceof accompaniment in the Church for persons living in a homosexual relationshipand for divorced persons re-married. As our Church is a welcoming Church, theDutch bishops, with Pope Francis, underline the pastoral importance ofcloseness and accompaniment.

The bishops' conference notes that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in its statement  Fiducia Supplicans [9111]Fiducia supplicans, holds, inaccordance with Sacred Scripture and the Tradition of the Church, that marriageis only possible between a man and a woman and is indissoluble, and thatirregular relationships of any kind encounter intrinsic moral objections. 

The Dutch bishopsdo not wish to deny anyone the support and strength of God. It is possible to say a prayer about individualbelievers living in an irregular relationship. What one asksfor in the prayer and the manner in which one prays are important here. In the case of someoneliving in an irregular or homosexual relationship,the ordained minister may say a simple prayeroutside the context of a wedding celebrationor prayer service. In this prayer, God can be askedfor strength and assistance under the invocation of His Spirit, so that he/she may understandGod's will with his/her lifeand continue to grow. 

This makes it clearin the wording chosen that this is not a blessingor confirmation of an irregular relationshipand also avoids confusion with marriage, which, according to the Catholic Church, can onlybe between a man and a woman. 

In thisway, prayer can give the strengthto draw near to God and live in accordancewith His intentions for the creation of man and woman and marriage.